North Premier Explained

North Premier
Sport:	Rugby Union
Founded:	(as North Division 1)
Teams:	14
Champion:	Otley (2nd title)
Season:	2021–22 (promoted to National Two North
Most Champs:	Bradford & Bingley, Darlington Mowden Park, Huddersfield, Kendal, Morley, Otley and Preston Grasshoppers
Count:	2
Website:	clubs.rfu.com

North Premier was a level five league in the English rugby union system, with the fourteen teams drawn from across Northern England. The other leagues at this level were London & South East Premier, Midlands Premier and South West Premier. The RFU reorganised the level five leagues for season 2022–23, with an increase from four to six and reducing the teams in each from fourteen to twelve.^[1] The teams in this league now play in either Regional 1 North East or Regional 1 North West.^[2]

Format

The fourteen teams in this league were drawn from across northern England with the champions promoted to National League 2 North and the runner-up going into a play-off with the second placed team from Midlands Premier with the winner also being promoted. The league's bottom three teams are relegated to either North 1 East or North 1 West depending on their geographic location. The league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union when the league was originally known as North Division 1. A further name change from National League 3 North to its final name for the 2017–18 season by the RFU in order to lessen confusion for the series of regional leagues.^[1]

The season ran from September to May and comprised twenty-six rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals home and away. The results of the matches contributed points to the league table as follows:

• 4 points are awarded for a win
• 2 points are awarded for a draw
• 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
• 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
• 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match

2021–22

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in the previous season's competition. They were joined by Otley and Preston Grasshoppers who were relegated from National League 2 North, and promoted sides York (from North 1 East) together with Burnage and Northwich RUFC (both from North 1 West).

The previous season's champions Blaydon were promoted into National League 2 North alongside Harrogate (who won the virtual play-off against Newport runners-up in Midlands Premier), while the relegated teams were Carlisle RFC (to North 1 West) together with Morpeth and Ilkley RFC (both to North 1 East).

The teams competing in 2021–22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019–20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020–21.

Twelve of the fourteen teams from 2021–22 were placed into one of the new level five leagues for 2022–23. Alnwick, Billingham, Sandal and York were placed into Regional 1 North East while Blackburn, Burnage, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lymm, Macclesfield, Northwich, Rossendale and Wirral were placed into Regional 1 North West. The top two teams in 2021–22, Otley and Preston Grasshoppers, were promoted to the level four league National League 2 North. No teams were relegated to level six.

Participating teams and locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Greensfield	1,200 (200 in stand)		11th
	Greenwood Road	1,500 (100 seats)		5th
	Ramsgreave Drive			6th
	Varley Park			Promoted from North 1 West (champions)
	Underley Park			8th
	Crouchley Lane			7th
	Priory Park	1,250 (250 seats)		3rd
	Moss Farm			Promoted from North 1 West (playoff)
		5,000		Relegated from Nat 2 North (12th)
	Lightfoot Green	5,000		Relegated from Nat 2 North (13th)
	Marl Pits			9th
	Milnthorpe Green			4th
	The Memorial Ground			10th
	Clifton Park			Promoted from North 1 East (champions)

Final league table

<															-- --> width=20% style="border:0px" North Premier 2021–22
	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points	Adj pts
1	Otley	26	24	0	2	1076	310	766	20	0	116
2		26	23	1	2	1105	299	806	19	0	113
3		26	18	2	6	1001	526	475	19	3	98
4		26	18	1	7	837	432	405	16	2	92
5		26	17	0	9	829	543	286	15	3	86
6		26	15	0	11	840	565	275	13	4	77
7		26	14	1	11	854	563	291	12	3	73
8		26	12	1	13	612	669	−57	9	2	61
9		26	11	0	15	562	669	−107	8	5	58
10		26	9	1	16	643	584	59	11	8	58
11		26	7	2	17	605	853	−248	8	3	43
12		26	5	0	21	545	1035	−490	8	4	32
13		26	3	2	21	298	1288	−990	4	0	20
14		26	0	1	25	168	1639	−1471	1	0	−2	−5
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
	Green background are the promotion places. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 2 June 2022 Source:^[3]

2020–21

On 30th October the RFU announced, that due to the coronavirus pandemic, a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning North Premier was not contested.^[4]

2019–20

Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Macclesfield who were relegated from National League 2 North, and Blackburn, Carlisle and Morpeth who were promoted into the division.^{[5] [6] [7] [8]} Last season's champions Hull were promoted into National League 2 North, while the relegated teams were Vale of Lune and Wilmslow who all drop down into North 1 West and Kendal Rugby Union Football Club, Kendal who were relegated to North 1 East.

Participating teams and locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Greensfield	1,200 (200 in stand)		9th
	Greenwood Road	1,500 (100 seats)		4th
	Ramsgreave Drive			Promoted from North 1 West (playoff)
	Crow Trees	2,000 (400 seats)		Runners up (lost playoff)
	Rugby Ground, Warwick Road	1,500 (250 seats)		Promoted from North 1 West (champions)
	Rudding Lane			3rd
	Stacks Field	2,000 (40 seats)		8th
	Underley Park			10th
	Crouchley Lane			11th
	Priory Park	1,250 (250 seats)		Relegated from National 2 North (14th)
	Grange House Field	1,000		Promoted from North 1 East (champions)
	Marl Pits			5th
	Milnthorpe Green			6th
	The Memorial Ground			7th

2018–19

Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Blaydon who were relegated from National League 2 North, while Alnwick, Vale of Lune and Wilmslow were promoted into the division.^{[9] [10] [11] [12]} Preston Grasshoppers were promoted as champions into National League 2 North, while the relegated teams were Birkenhead Park (North 1 West), Morley and Pocklington (both North 1 East).

Participating teams and locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Greensfield	1,200 (200 in stand)		Promoted from North 1 East (champions)
	Greenwood Road	1,500 (100 seats)		6th
	Crow Trees	2,000 (400 seats)		Relegated from National 2 North (15th)
	Rudding Lane			3rd
	Ferens Ground	1,500 (288 seats)		Runners up (lost playoff)
	Stacks Field	2,000 (40 seats)		7th
	Mint Bridge Stadium	3,500 (258 seats)		10th
	Underley Park			8th
	Crouchley Lane			4th
	Marl Pits			5th
	Milnthorpe Green			11th
	Powder House Lane			Promoted from North 1 West (Champions)
	Memorial Ground			Promoted from North 1 West (playoff)
	The Memorial Ground			9th

2017–18

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Preston Grasshoppers and Harrogate who were relegated from National League 2 North, while Pocklington, Kirkby Lonsdale and Birkenhead Park are promoted into the division.^{[13] [14] [15] [16] [17]} Huddersfield were promoted as champions into National League 2 North, with Firwood Waterloo and Stockport both relegated to North 1 West and Cleckheaton dropping to North 1 East.^[18] In order to address an imbalance of teams at tier 5, Doncaster Phoenix were level transferred to Midlands Premier.^[19] This season was the first that Kendal played at the new Mint Bridge Stadium.

Participating teams and locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Greenwood Road	1,500 (100 seats)		5th
	Upper Park			Promoted from North 1 West (playoffs)
	Rudding Lane			Relegated from National 2 North (14th)
	Ferens Ground	1,500 (288 seats)		3rd
	Stacks Field	2,000 (40 seats)		9th
	Mint Bridge Stadium	3,500 (258 seats)		7th
	Underley Park			Promoted from North 1 West (champions)
	Crouchley Lane			8th
	Scatcherd Lane			10th
	Percy Road			Promoted from North 1 East (champions)
	Lightfoot Green	5,000		Relegated from National 2 North (16th)
	Marl Pits			2nd (lost playoff)
	Milnthorpe Green			6th
	The Memorial Ground			4th

Final league table

<															----> width=20% style="border:0px" National League 3 North 2017–18
	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
1	Preston Grasshoppers (P)	26	23	1	2	897	410	487	22	2	118
2		26	20	3	3	815	340	475	18	2	106
3		26	19	1	6	697	477	220	16	4	98
4		26	17	2	7	691	382	309	11	5	88
5		25	17	0	8	636	571	65	14	1	83
6		26	16	1	9	794	501	293	13	3	82
7		25	12	1	12	523	532	−9	7	5	62
8		26	10	0	16	565	584	−19	7	10	57
9		26	9	0	17	573	715	−142	12	6	54
10		26	10	1	15	537	635	−98	6	5	53
11		26	7	1	18	528	694	−166	8	8	46
12		26	5	1	20	452	874	−422	5	6	33
13		26	6	1	19	324	715	−391	2	3	31
14	Pocklington (R)	26	3	1	22	375	977	–602	6	3	23
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
	Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 22 November 2021 Source: Web site: National League 3 North. England Rugby.

2016–17

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Huddersfield and Sandal who were relegated from National 2 North while Doncaster Phoenix, Morley and Kendal were promoted into the league. Sheffield Tigers were promoted as champions into National 2 North while Burnage and Huddersfield Y.M.C.A. were relegated to North 1 East and Birkenhead Park dropped to North 1 West. In order to address a league imbalance, 7th placed Sheffield were level transferred to National League 3 Midlands.

Participating teams and locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Greenwood Road	1,500 (100 seats)		9th
	Moorend			10th
		5,000		promoted from North 1 East (champions)
	St Anthony's Road	9,000 (200 seats)		4th
	Lockwood Park	1,500 (500 seats)		relegated from National 2 North (16th)
	Ferens Ground	1,500 (288 seats)		5th
	Stacks Field	2,000 (40 seats)		8th
	Mint Bridge	3,000 (300 stand)		promoted from North 1 West (champions)
	Crouchley Lane			3rd
	Scatcherd Lane			promoted from North 1 East (via play-off)
	Marl Pits			6th
	Milnthorpe Green			relegated from National 2 North (14th)
	The Memorial Ground	500		11th
	The Memorial Ground			2nd (lost promotion play-off)

Final league table

<															----> width=20% style="border:0px" National League 3 North 2016–17
	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
1	Huddersfield (P)	26	26	0	0	1180	263	917	20	0	124
2		26	21	0	5	852	443	409	14	1	99
3		26	20	0	6	837	460	377	17	0	97
4		26	18	0	8	814	501	313	16	1	89
5		26	17	0	9	779	542	237	16	3	87
6		26	16	0	10	935	556	379	16	5	85
7		26	13	0	13	548	498	50	7	6	65
8		26	12	0	14	629	632	−3	9	4	61
9		26	11	0	15	571	576	−5	7	8	59
10		26	8	0	18	577	864	−287	10	4	46
11		26	8	0	18	538	837	−299	6	3	41
12	Cleckheaton (R)	26	7	0	19	523	739	–216	7	4	39
13	Firwood Waterloo (R)	26	5	0	21	422	1019	−597	4	5	29
14	Stockport (R)	26	0	0	26	229	1504	−1275	1	1	2
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
	Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 29 April 2017 Source: Web site: National League 3 North. England Rugby.

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 North, and National League 3 Midlands participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 North. The team with the best playing record, in this case Rossendale, host the match and they lost to their opponents Sheffield 31 – 32.

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
	26	21	0	5	852	443	409	14	1	99
	26	19	0	7	717	434	283	16	4	96

2015–16

Sheffield Tigers, are the champions, winning the league by 16 points. It was Sheffield's second promotion to National 2 North; in 2010–11 they won promotion via the play-off (as Midland representatives), beating Chester. Wirral, the second-placed team lost their play-off match against Hinckley and remain in this league for next season. Three clubs are relegated, Huddersfield YMCA to North East 1, and Birkenhead Park and Burnage, both to North West 1 .

Participating clubs and locations

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They were joined by two teams relegated from National League 2 North, Hull and Stockport; and by three promoted teams, Birkenhead Park, Ilkley and Sheffield. The teams leaving the league were the 2014–15 champions, Sale who were promoted to National League 2 North, along with the runner-up Sandal, the play-off winner against Hinckley; Morley, South Shields West and Beverley were all relegated to North 1 East.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Greenwood Road	1,500 (100 seats)		7th
	Birkenhead Park			promoted from North 1 West (champions)
	Varley Park			11th
	Moorend			6th
	St Anthony's Road	9,000 (200 seats)		4th
	Laund Hill			8th
	Ferens Ground	1,500 (288 seats)		relegated from National 2 North (15th)
	Stacks Field	2,000 (40 seats)		promoted from North 1 East (champions)
	Crouchley Lane			9th
	Marl Pits			5th
		3,200 (100 seats)		promoted from North 1 East (via play-off)
	Dore Moor			3rd
	The Memorial Ground	500		relegated from National 2 North (16th)
	Memorial Ground			10th

Final league table

<															-- --> width=20% style="border:0px" National League 3 North 2015–16
	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
1	Sheffield Tigers (C)	26	22	0	4	984	314	670	17	4	109
2		26	19	0	7	677	486	191	13	4	93
3		26	15	1	10	635	482	153	11	6	79
4		26	17	1	8	590	537	53	11	2	78
5		26	15	0	11	653	454	199	9	9	78
6		26	14	1	11	720	613	107	13	3	74
7		26	14	2	10	595	502	93	9	4	73
8		26	14	1	11	571	609	–38	7	5	70
9		26	12	0	14	614	594	20	10	6	64
10		26	11	0	15	508	646	–138	6	4	54
11		26	8	1	17	588	770	–182	10	7	51
12	Huddersfield YMCA (R)	26	7	1	18	546	813	–267	10	7	47
13	Birkenhead Park (R)	26	6	0	20	519	739	–220	7	10	41
14	Burnage (R)	26	4	0	22	359	1000	–641	1	3	20
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
	Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 27 April 2016 Source: Web site: National League 3 North. England Rugby.

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 Midland, and National League 3 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 North. The team with the best playing record, in this case Hinckley, host the match and their opponents are Wirral.

Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
Hinckley (P)	26	22	1	3	790	343	447	16	2	108
	26	19	0	7	677	486	191	13	4	93

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----

2014–15

Participating clubs

• Beverley
• Billingham
• Burnage
• Cleckheaton (promoted from North 1 East)
• Firwood Waterloo
• Huddersfield Y.M.C.A. (promoted from North 1 East)
• Lymm (transferred from National League 3 Midlands)
• Morley
• Rossendale
• Sale
• Sandal
• Sheffield Tigers (relegated from National League 2 North)
• Westoe
• Wirral (promoted from North 1 West)

2013–14

Participating clubs

• Beverley (promoted from North 1 East)
• Billingham
• Bradford & Bingley
• Burnage
• Firwood Waterloo
• Huddersfield (relegated from National League 2 North)
• Morley (promoted from North 1 East)
• Penrith
• Percy Park
• Rossendale
• Sale (promoted from North 1 West)
• Sandal
• Stockport (relegated from National League 2 North)
• Westoe (relegated from National League 2 North)

2012–13

Participating clubs

• Billingham (promoted from North 1 East)
• Birkenhead Park
• Bradford & Bingley
• Burnage
• Chester
• Harrogate (relegated from National League 2 North)
• Kendal (relegated from National League 2 North)
• Lymm
• Penrith
• Percy Park (promoted from North 1 East)
• Rossendale
• Sandal
• Waterloo
• West Hartlepool

2009–10

Participating clubs

Inaugural clubs (first season as National 3 North)

• Beverley (now playing in North 1 East)
• Birkenhead Park (still playing in National 3 North)
• Chester (now playing in National 2 North)
• Cleckheaton (still playing in National 3 North)
• Darlington Mowden Park (now playing in National 2 North)
• Middlesbrough (now playing in Durham/Northumberland 1)
• Morley (now playing in North 1 East)
• Penrith (now playing in North 1 West)
• Rochdale (now playing in North 1 West)
• Rossendale (still playing in National 3 North)
• Sheffield Tigers (still playing in National 3 North)
• Stockport (still playing in National League 3 North)
• West Hartlepool (now playing in North 1 East)
• West Park St Helens (now playing in South Lancs/Cheshire 1)

2008–09

Final league table

<											---->
Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Points
	22	19	0	3	737	264	473	38
	22	18	0	4	702	241	461	36
	22	16	0	6	497	222	275	32
	22	15	0	7	495	307	118	30
	22	14	1	7	373	331	42	29
	22	11	0	11	477	421	56	22
	22	9	0	13	356	420	–64	18
	22	8	0	14	414	520	–106	16
	22	8	0	14	311	425	–114	16
	22	5	1	16	293	654	–361	11
	22	5	0	17	273	599	–326	10
	22	3	0	19	254	769	–524	6

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:

• Hartlepool Rovers (now playing in Durham/Northumberland 1)
• Harrogate (now playing in National league 2 North)
• Hull & ER (now playing as Hull Ionians in National League 1)
• Kendal (now playing in North 1 West
• Middlesbrough (now playing in Yorkshire 1)
• Otley (now playing in National League 2 North)
• Tynedale (now playing in National League 2 North)
• Widnes
• Wigton
• Winnington Park (now playing in South Lancs/Cheshire 1
• West Park (now playing in Lancs/Cheshire Division 1

North Premier honours

In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. The geographical area for teams in the north of England covered the ceremonial counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire Northumberland and Yorkshire There were eleven teams in the league and they played each other once, giving each team ten matches. The other tier five leagues were London Division One, Midlands Division One and South West Division One.^[20] This system prevailed for five seasons, and in 1992–93 the number of teams increased from eleven to thirteen. The following season (1993–94) the league was reorganised and the four tier five leagues became two; National 5 North and National 5 South.^[21] After three seasons, in 1996–97, a further reorganisation occurred, and there was a return to four, tier five leagues; with North Division One covering the area of northern England.^[22] This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three North.

North Division 1 (1987–1993)

The original North Division 1 was a tier 5 league with promotion to Area League 2 North and relegation to North Division 2 (later split into two leagues known as North 1 East and North 1 West).

<											----> North Division One
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
1987–88	11	10	Winnington Park			^[23]
1988–89	11	10	Kendal
1989–90	11	10	Otley		No relegation
1990–91	11	10	Aspatria			^[24]
1991–92	11	10	Rotherham			^[25]
1992–93	13	12	Bradford & Bingley			^[26]

North Division 1 (1993–1996)

At the end of the 1992–93 season the top six teams from North Division 1 and the top six from Midland Division 1 were combined to create National 5 North. North Division 1 dropped from a tier 5 league to a tier 6 league for the years that National 5 North was active.

<											----> North Division 1
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams
1993-94^[27]	13	Wharfedale		Hartlepool Rovers, Northern, Vale of Lune
1994-95	13	Sandal
1995-96	13	Manchester		No relegation
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

North Division 1 (1996–2009)

For the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and North Division One returned to being a tier 5 league. Promotion was to National 4 North (later known as National League 2 North), while relegation continued to North Division 2 until 2000–01, and then into either North 2 East or North 2 West (later known as North 1 East / North 1 West) in subsequent seasons.

<											----> North Division One
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
1996–97	12	22	Sedgley Park			^[28]
1997–98	12	22	New Brighton		West Park Bramhope	^[29]
1998–99	12	22	Doncaster			^[30]
1999–00	12	22	Tynedale			^[31]
2000–01	12	22	Darlington Mowden Park			^[32]
2001–02	12	22	Halifax			^[33]
2002–03	12	22	Darlington			^[34]
2003–04	12	22	Bradford & Bingley			^[35]
2004–05	12	22	Preston Grasshoppers			^[36]
2005–06	12	22	Morley			^[37]
2006–07	12	22	Caldy			^[38]
2007–08	12	22	Kendal			^[39]
2008–09	12	22	Westoe		No relegation	^[40]

National League 3 North (2009–2017)

For the 2009–10 season North Division One was renamed as National League 3 North following a restructuring of the national leagues leading to changes at all levels.

<											----> National League 3 North
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
2009–10	14	26	Morley			^[41]
2010–11	14	26	Stockport			^[42]
2011–12	14	26	Darlington Mowden Park			^[43]
2012–13	14	26	Chester			^[44]
2013–14	14	26	Huddersfield			^[45]
2014–15	14	26	Sale FC			^[46]
2015–16	14	26	Sheffield Tigers			^[47]
2016–17	14	26	Huddersfield			^[48]
Green background are the promotion places.

North Premier (2017–2022)

The division was renamed North Premier for the 2017–18 season in order to make it more obvious that this was a regional division and the top one in the north.

<											----> North Premier
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
2017–18	14	26	Preston Grasshoppers			^[49]
2018–19	14	26	Hull			^[50]
2019–20	14	21	Blaydon			^[51]
2020–21	Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22	14	26	Otley		Awaiting an announcement from the RFU.
Green background are the promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

From 2000–01 season until 2018–19 there was a play-off, between the league runners-up of North Premier and Midlands Premier, for the third and final promotion place to National League 2 North. The team with the superior league record has home advantage. As of the end of the 2018–19 season the northern teams have been stronger with twelve wins to the Midlands seven, while the home team has won thirteen times compared to the away teams six.

<											----> North Premier v Midlands Premier promotion play-off results
Season	Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Attendance	Reference
2000–01	Blaydon (N)	31–12	Leicester Lions (M)			^[52]
2001–02	Hull Ionians (N)	35–22	Walsall (M)			^[53] ^[54]
2002–03	Luctonians (M)	3–17	Macclesfield (N)		1,000	^[55] ^[56]
2003–04	Cleckheaton (N)	23–10	Kettering (M)		900	^[57] ^[58]
2004–05	Hull Ionians (N)	19–18	Kettering (M)			^[59] ^[60]
2005–06	Bedford Athletic (M)	17–24	West Park St Helens (N)			^[61] ^[62] ^[63]
2006–07	Beverley (N)	7–3	Dudley Kingswinford (M)			^[64] ^[65]
2007–08	Huddersfield (N)	22–7	Luctonians (M)			^[66] ^[67]
2008–09	Hull (N)	40–15	Chester (M)			^[68] ^[69]
2009–10	Stockport (N)	10–18	Luctonians (M)		350	^[70] ^[71]
2010–11	Sheffield Tigers (M)	16–14	Chester (N)			^[72] ^[73]
2011–12	Dudley Kingswinford (M)	36–27	Rossendale (N)		1,000	^[74] ^[75]
2012–13	Sutton Coldfield (M)	13–28	Harrogate (N)	Roger Smoldon Ground, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands	650	^[76] ^[77] ^[78]
2013–14	Stockport (N)	52–22	Sutton Coldfield (M)			^[79] ^[80]
2014–15	Sandal (N)	20–10	Hinckley (M)		200	^[81] ^[82]
2015–16	Hinckley (M)	33–20	Wirral (N)		650	^[83] ^[84]
2016–17	Rossendale (N)	31–32	Sheffield (M)		413	^[85]
2017–18	Hull (N)	22-31	Peterborough Lions (M)			^[86]
2018–19	Luctonians (M)	31–17	Blaydon (N)		1,757	^[87]
2019–20	Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Harrogate (N) - promoted instead.
2020–21	Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22	Cancelled due league reorganisation
Green background represent the promoted teams. (M) stands for the Midlands teams while (N) stands for the Northern teams.

Number of league titles

• Bradford & Bingley (2)
• Darlington Mowden Park (2)
• Huddersfield (2)
• Kendal (2)
• Morley (2)
• Otley (2)
• Preston Grasshoppers (2)
• Aspatria (1)
• Blaydon (1)
• Caldy (1)
• Chester (1)
• Darlington (1)
• Doncaster (1)
• Halifax (1)
• Hull (1)
• Manchester (1)
• New Brighton (1)
• Rotherham (1)
• Sale FC (1)
• Sandal (1)
• Sedgley Park (1)
• Sheffield Tigers (1)
• Stockport (1)
• Tynedale (1)
• Westoe (1)
• Wharfedale (1)
• Winnington Park (1)

See also

• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

Notes and References

1. Web site: Renaming of RFU National 3 Leagues. Oxfordshire RFU. 16 July 2017 .
2. Web site: League Structure and Leagues for 2022/2023 . RFU Community Communications . 13 August 2022.
3. Web site: North Premier. England Rugby. 13 August 2022.
4. Web site: RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season . RFU . 2020-10-20 . 2020-11-09.
5. News: Macc down but leaders march on. The RugbyPaper. 551. 7 April 2019. 32.
6. Web site: Scarborough RUFC battle hard but edged out in play-off at Blackburn. The Scarborough News. 27 April 2019.
7. Web site: 2018-19 Northern Division. England Rugby. RFU. 13 April 2019.
8. Web site: 2018-19 Northern Division. England Rugby. RFU. 13 April 2019.
9. Web site: Sale FC crowned champions, Blaydon suffer back to back relegations. NCA Rugby. 30 April 2018.
10. Web site: 2017-18 Northern Division. England Rugby. RFU. 28 April 2018.
11. Web site: 2017-18 Northern Division. England Rugby. RFU. 28 April 2018.
12. Web site: Escapologists Never Say Die. Wimslow RUFC (Pitchero). 12 May 2018.
13. Web site: Leicester Lions 40, Grasshoppers 14 . Lancashire Post . 8 April 2017 .
14. Web site: Harrogate relegated from National Two North. Harrogate Advertiser. 1 May 2017 .
15. Web site: 2016-17 Northern Division. England Rugby. RFU. 30 April 2017.
16. Web site: 2016–2017 Northern Division. England Rugby. 30 April 2017.
17. Web site: Birkenhead Park promoted back to National League Three after 'winner-take-all' clash with Penrith. Wirral Globe. 30 April 2017.
18. Web site: National League 3 North 2015–2016. England Rugby. 8 April 2017.
19. Web site: National League 3 2017–18. Rolling Maul. 3 May 2017.
20. Book: Williams. Tony. Mitchell. Bill. Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92. Football Directories. Taunton. 1-869833-15-5. 4th.
21. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. 1994. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7850-4. 163–179. 23rd.
22. Book: Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. 1997. Headline Book Publishers. London. 0-7472-7732-X. Mick Cleary. 26th.
23. Book: Williams. Tony. Mitchell. Bill. Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. 1990. Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. Windsor. 1-873057-024. 213–326.
24. Book: Williams. Tony. Mitchell. Bill. Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92. Football Directories. Taunton. 1-869833-15-5. 207–342.
25. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93. 1992. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7907-1. 170–185.
26. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94. 1993. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7891-1. 151–167.
27. Web site: Sheet1 - Wharfedale. Wharfedale RUFC. Wharfedale RUFC. 4 August 2018.
28. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. 1997. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7732-X. 87–100.
29. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998–99. 1998. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7653-6. 84–98.
30. Web site: North 1 1998–1999. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
31. Web site: North 1 1999–2000. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
32. Web site: North 1 2000–2001. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
33. Web site: North 1 2001–2002. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
34. Web site: North 1 2002–2003. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
35. Web site: North 1 2003–2004 . England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
36. Web site: North 1 2004–2005. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
37. Web site: North 1 2005–2006. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
38. Web site: North 1 2006–2007. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
39. Web site: North 1 2007–2008. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
40. Web site: North 1 2008–2009. England Rugby. 2 July 2016.
41. Web site: National League 3 North 2009–2010. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
42. Web site: National League 3 North 2010–2011. 3 July 2016.
43. Web site: National League 3 North 2011–2012. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
44. Web site: National League 3 North 2012–2013. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
45. Web site: National League 3 North 2013–2014. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
46. Web site: National League 3 North 2014–2015. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
47. Web site: National League 3 North 2015–2016. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
48. Web site: National League 3 North 2016–2017. England Rugby. 8 April 2017.
49. Web site: North Premier 2017–2018. England Rugby. 21 April 2018.
50. Web site: North Premier 2018–2019. England Rugby. 13 April 2019.
51. Web site: Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20. England Rugby. 25 April 2020.
52. Web site: North Play Offs 2000–2001. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
53. Web site: North Play Offs 2001–2002. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
54. Web site: Rugby Union: Errors end Walsall's hopes of rapid return; Hull Ionians 35 Walsall 22.. The Birmingham Post. 13 May 2002 .
55. Web site: North Play Offs 2002–2003. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
56. Web site: North/Mid Play off Match overview Luctonians VS Macclesfield. Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003 .
57. Web site: North Play Offs 2003–2004. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
58. Web site: Cleckheaton 23 Kettering 10. Telegraph & Argus. 26 April 2004 .
59. Web site: North Play Offs 2004–2005. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
60. Web site: North/Mid Play off Match overview Hull Ionians v Kettering. Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2005 .
61. Web site: Midland Play Offs 2005–2006. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
62. Web site: Well done to West Park on their fine achievement. Liverpool Echo. 3 May 2006 .
63. Web site: North/Mid Play off Match overview Bedford Athletic VS West Park St Helens. Rugby Statbunker. 29 April 2006 .
64. Web site: North Play Offs 2006–2007. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
65. Web site: DUDLEY-KO'D. Worcester News. 3 May 2007 .
66. Web site: North Play Offs 2007–2008. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
67. Web site: Rugby Union: WE'RE GOING UP! Joy as Huddersfield clinch National III berth RUGBY UNION PLAY-OFF.. Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 26 April 2008 .
68. Web site: North Play Offs 2008–2009. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
69. News: Hull clinch promotion. Hull Daily Mail. 27 April 2009.
70. Web site: North Play Offs 2009–2010. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
71. Web site: STOCKPORT FALL AT THE FINAL FENCE. Stockport RUFC . 8 May 2010 .
72. Web site: North Play Offs 2010–2011. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
73. Web site: Promotion party as wind-swept Tigers blow away rivals in play-off thriller. The Star. 17 May 2011 .
74. Web site: North Play Offs 2011–2012. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
75. Web site: Dudley Kingswinford 36 Rossendale 27. Dudley Kingswinford RFC. 28 April 2012 .
76. Web site: North Play Offs 2012–2013. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
77. Web site: Rugby Union: Harrogate secure promotion at Sutton Coldfield. Harrogate Advertiser. 27 April 2013 .
78. Web site: Where are you going - where did you go? RUGBY UNION. Non League Matters. 27 April 2013 .
79. Web site: North Play Offs 2013–2014. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
80. Web site: Sutton's promotion hopes are shattered by solid Stockport. Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer. 1 May 2014. 23 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20150227152357/http://www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/Sutton-s-promotion-hopes-shattered-solid/story-21043384-detail/story.html. 27 February 2015. dead.
81. Web site: North Play Offs 2014–2015. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
82. Web site: Hinckley go down fighting. Hinckley RFC. 25 April 2015 .
83. Web site: North Play Off 2015–2016. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
84. Web site: Hinckley gain promotion to N2N in final countdown. Hinckley RFC. 30 April 2016 .
85. News: National 3 round up. The RUGBYPaper. 450. Rugby Paper Ltd. 30 April 2017. 33.
86. Web site: MATCH REPORT: Lions roar to promotion play-off victory. Peterborough Today. 28 April 2018 .
87. Web site: Luctonians 31 v 17 Blaydon . Luctonians Sports Club . 27 April 2019 .